Ahhh summertime! The kids are out of school and the weather is just inviting you to be active outside. Take advantage of the quality time you have to spend together as a family by promoting health and wellness.  Kids love to get up and move around.  Sitting down for hours in the car driving to the beach may be inevitable but make up for lost time with these fun activities the entire family will enjoy:

The Annual Summer Picnic

Picnics are perfect for having a healthy family dinner while enjoying the fresh air.  Instead of visiting a favorite restaurant, save a little money and calories by packing a nutritious picnic meal.  Check ahead of time to see if the park near you has a public grill (that works) or bring dishes prepared ahead of time that taste great cold.  A family favorite in my household is a whole wheat pasta salad with veggies, grilled chicken and thinly sliced Mini Babybel dressed with light balsamic vinaigrette.

The Essential Round of Mini-Golf

Mini-golf is a perfect way to engage your family in a little friendly competition.  Teaching the young ones to keep their “eye on the ball” and practicing hand-eye coordination can go a long way.

Paddle Boats and Kayaking

If you live or will be vacationing near water, check out the local shops for paddle boats and kayaks available for rent.  Most are right on the water and ready to be used right away.  Most stores are small businesses and locally owned, and many give discounts to children as well.  Make sure to wear your life jacket and have fun!  An active day out and about will mean a peaceful night for you.  Paddle boats are safer if your children do not know how to swim well but kayaks are fun and allow you to explore the seashore up close – plus many can go places most boaters can’t go!

In Your Backyard: Go Camping or Start a Garden

Oh the adventure that lies in your backyard!  If you’re afraid someone might get a little too scared, start small with a mini-camping adventure 100 yards from your home.  All you need is a tent, sleeping bags, flash lights, a good bug repellent and a good story to tell around a small fire.  Better yet, start an ongoing project that helps promote your own health as well as the environment’s.  This is also a helpful trick in getting kids who hate vegetables to eat them! Involving your children in the process of growing will make them want to taste the fruits of their labor.

Walk on the Beach or Take a Hike

Walking and hiking are active and educational activities for families.  A trip to the beach, river or forest will present uneven terrain creating quite the adventure for a young person.  Jumping on rocks and climbing tree stumps are all part of being a curious kid.  From collecting beautiful seashells in the sand to finding pretty rocks by a river, these outings also may lead to sentimental souvenirs to keep for years to come.

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